i need some advise, i dislocated my shoulder yesterday ocean surfing and need to know if anyone else has had the same experience, if so how long was it before you were back in the water? i wasn't even pulling a move just steadying myself when the lip hit me and i started tipping, i put a bit of pressure on my blade (which by now was too high and my arm was outstreched) then i felt it turn and pop out. it was 75 minutes before i managed to pop it back in by bending over, putting my elbow on the floor and twisting my body to the left (it was left shoulder) the mel gibson strait jacket method does NOT work! the pain stopped immediately. my advice to any kayaker is read up on how to put your shoulder back in position because if i had, i wouldn't have had 75 mins of the worst pain i have ever experienced and wouldn't have caused as much damage to my ligaments. seriously you won't believe how bad it is until it happens!

first of all if this happens to any one i advise you dont put your sholder back in your self go to the hospital if you put it wrong ar trap a nerve then you will never be the same again and if c trap a vein or artery then you will stop the blood flow this can lead to dieing cells and muscle waistage worst of all amputation. the best thing you can all do if this happens support it in a high sling that means your arm across your chest and at a comtorble hight. whare ever you are is comftorble but no lower than ar a right angle

www.disasterfirstaid.com/Resources/firsta5.gif

to the person who put it back in get it checked out by a doctor. you will probably need physio. and u need to make sure you have nothing trapped

Sorry to hear it,

I know two people who have had disslocated shoulders from paddling. Both of them have not completly recovered even though it happend a while ago. They would probaly recomend paddling with a AT2 flex or a wood paddle. this apparently helps the block shock on the shoulder.

get well soon

I have seprated my shoulder twice. Not cool.
Both times not from paddling.

However, when you are back in the water, after proper rest and excercise, (see your doctor), keep the braces low unless you have no choice.

It no longer takes much to agravate my shoulder. I keep the braces low.

In future after a seperation fo see an MD.

A pain in the butt, maybe but in the long run a really good idea.

I havent dislocated my shoulder but i did fracture it. I found that leaving it for a few weeks was ok. After that stretch it and make sure it doesnt still hurt and start some gentle excercise!

Thanks for all the replies, they have been usefull. i have been kayaking for 15 years and usually do keep my braces low, it was just this one occasion my paddle got stuck in the top of the wave and lip pushed my boat forward into freefall when my weight got put onto my arm thats when it twisted. i also advise kayakers to go to hostpital after a dislocation as i did. but there was no way i could of got back in the car for a half hour drive to hospital so i had to do something, the way i put it back is wrong, after some research on the net, it seems that if lie down on something that you can dangle your arm over and add 10-15kg (a boulder or rock) to the dislocated arm there is an 80% chance it will pop back in and you need try and do it within 3 minutes before the muscles start going into spasm. i have been told that i will need at least 6 months away from my boat as six weeks ago i also dislocated by collar bone from my breast bone so both dislocations need to heal properly, so with much regret i am selling my much loved draggo rossi stinger (if i don't sell it i will get back in the water too early) anyone interested can email me at [mail address protected from spambots with javascript] for pictures and more info. i live in st.davids, pembrokeshire if you want to have a look at it!

thanks again for the replies

Also just stand up and hold a dry bag in your hand and get somebody to fill it slowly with water. And RELAX. This may help. Not all the time though....